60 Memorial Day Recipes

Whether you’re grilling with your family or inviting the whole neighborhood, these 60 Memorial Day Recipes are guaranteed to spark joy in you and everyone around you. Wishing you a happy Memorial Day filled with your favorite recipes and all the people who matter most.

 

Meggan’s notes

For many of us, Memorial Day serves as the unofficial start to summer. The last day of school is just around the corner, and then it’s off to summer camp, the lake, camping, or any myriad of wholesome family fun.

As a classically-trained chef, I’ve been planning menus and entertaining, both personally and professionally, for years. I love to pull together the best, most crowd-pleasing recipes that are easy on the cook, too.

So weather you’re hosting your crew or just bringing a dish to pass, these are some of the best recipes around that are sure to delight your friends and family.

1. Wisconsin Beer Brats

It’s not summer or tailgate season without beer brats. If you like the flavor of caramelized onions, then you’ll love this easy 4-ingredient grilled brat recipe.

2. Grilled Beef Tri Tip

Even though I grew up in the Midwest, I’ve been living in California for over a decade. Tri tip is widely available here, and I’ve had plenty of time to get super familiar with this delicious cut of beef. Layer that experience on top of my classical culinary education, and I can promise you: You’re in good hands with this recipe.

3. Lemon Pepper Chicken

Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken is great on the grill, on the stove, or in the oven. If you have a jar of this citrusy, peppery seasoning somewhere in the pantry, put it to use tonight. Your dinner problem is solved in 30 minutes or less, and it couldn’t be more delicious.

4. Carne Asada

Carne Asada isn’t just a recipe: it’s an invitation to celebrate. Learn how to make authentic Carne Asada, a popular grilled steak recipe, just like they do in the heart of Mexico.

5. Turkey Burgers

If you’re looking for a Turkey Burger Recipe to knock your socks off, look no further. As a classically-trained chef, I have plenty of secrets up my sleeve to make sure your next Turkey Burger is the best one you’ve ever had!

6. Grilled Pork Chops

These succulent Grilled Pork Chops are an easy, tasty dinner, any night of the week. And you’ll love the super simple honey-jalapeño marinade. it tastes as delicious as it sounds!

7. Grilled Ribeye

When it comes to steaks, Grilled Rib Eye is my favorite, and it’s not even close. As a classically-trained chef, I reach for this cut for its juicy marbling, tender texture, and clean beef flavor. Discover my formula for perfect ribeye every time, and apply the same techniques to any cut of steak you have.

8. Grilled Barbecue Chicken

This easy Grilled BBQ Chicken is finished with a dunk in sweet-spicy barbecue sauce. Learn how to turn any grill into a smoker, then prepare to savor a smoky, saucy chicken dinner that will have the entire block wishing they were invited to your yard for dinner.

9. Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Need a quick and easy dinner idea? These Grilled Shrimp Skewers are flavored with garlic, mustard, and basil and then grilled or broiled to perfection in minutes.\

10. Grilled New York Strip Steak

Learn the secrets to the best Grilled New York Strip you’ve ever had. As a classically-trained chef, I reach for this cut for its juicy marbling, tender texture, and bold, beefy flavor. Discover my formula for perfect grilled New York Strip every time, and apply the same techniques to any cut of steak you have.

11. Chicken Kabobs

These summery Chicken Kabobs are coated with a delicious garlic-herb marinade and feature zucchini ribbons rolled up and skewered. It’s a quick, elegant meal made from simple ingredients with a unique, stunning presentation.

12. Veggie Kabobs

These simple Veggie Kabobs are easy to make and loaded with garlic, lemon, and thyme. They are the perfect summer side dish or light meal.

13. Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Learn the secrets to authentic Mexican Street Corn (also known as elote), a simple, delicious snack made with just 5 key ingredients: Corn, lime, mayonnaise, Parm, and Tajin. This is exactly how the street vendors make it, and now you can too.

14. Easy Garden Salad

This Easy Garden Salad is colorful, delicious, and completely customizable depending on the season, where you live, and what you have. It’s the perfect side dish to almost any meal!

15. California Pasta Salad

This delicious and colorful California Pasta Salad is always a hit as part of a party menu. Make this easy pasta salad recipe up to a day ahead if you like; the flavors only get better as it marinates.

16. Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese

This easy Broccoli Salad Recipe is loaded up with bacon, cheese, and a sweet and tangy 3-ingredient salad dressing. We call it Piggly Wiggly salad in the Midwest, and it’s the ultimate year-round party side dish.

17. KFC Coleslaw (Copycat recipe)

This KFC Coleslaw Recipe is a fantastic copycat from the famous fried chicken chain. It’s crunchy, sweet, and creamy, and it’s the perfect side dish for all your summer barbecues and picnics. It’s made with super simple, common ingredients too!

18. Peach and Burrata Salad

This luscious Burrata Salad is made with peppery arugula, ripe, juicy peaches, plenty of creamy Burrata cheese, and lightly sweetened white wine vinaigrette. It’s the perfect antidote to a hot summer’s day when stone fruit is vibrant and plentiful.

19. The Best Macaroni Salad

The Best Macaroni Salad doesn’t make you choose between ham or bacon. Use both in this easy pasta salad recipe, along with a creamy, classic Midwest salad dressing. This big-batch macaroni salad is perfect for potluck and party menus.

20. Asparagus Salad

This delicious, colorful Asparagus Salad has red peppers, bacon, dried cranberries, and almonds. It’s crunchy, a little sweet, and totally addictive.

21. Baby Bok Choy Salad

Turn a beloved pantry staple, ramen, into Baby Bok Choy Salad for a crunchy, healthy appetizer. Loaded with vegetables, almonds, toasted noodles, and a nutty homemade sesame soy dressing, this makes for a great light lunch or dinner starter.

22. BLT Pasta Salad

Inspired by the classic sandwich recipe, you need just 7 ingredients and 20 minutes to add this easy BLT Pasta Salad to your potluck menu. Try it for brown bag lunches and picnics, too.

23. Easy Potato Salad

This old-fashioned recipe for Easy Potato Salad has probably been passed down by our grandmas for generations. It’s a summer classic destined for backyard barbecues, family celebrations, and picnics.

24. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

More dessert than salad, Strawberry Pretzel Salad is sweet, salty, made with Jell-O, and topped with cool whip.  If you’re still reading, it loves to be made ahead and is an absolute winner at potlucks and parties!

25. Snickers Salad

Snickers Salad is a classic Midwestern recipe, and the only thing crazy about it is how crazy-good it tastes! More dessert than salad, this side dish is a potluck legend. Make a big bowl for your next party and watch it vanish in minutes.

26. Fruit Salad

Freshen up your menu with an easy, make-ahead Fruit Salad that’s tossed in a zippy honey and citrus dressing. Toss it together, then allow this crowd-pleasing Fruit Salad to chill for an hour (or more) for a simple and healthy side dish recipe.

27. Strawberry Spinach Salad

Healthy is anything but dull when there’s a giant Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing waiting for lunch. It’s colorful, naturally sweet, and as wonderful as it gets.

28. Pineapple Salsa

This easy Pineapple Salsa recipe is loaded with fresh pineapple, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños, and cilantro. This is fruit salsa is dreamy scooped up with chips as a snack idea or pile it atop your favorite protein for dinner.

29. Cowboy Caviar

This easy recipe for Cowboy Caviar is fun, fresh, colorful, and endlessly adaptable. It makes a great dip, salad, side dish, or even a topping for grilled meats. Always a potluck favorite!

30. Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)

This Chipotle Guacamole recipe is the real deal. With just seven ingredients and a few minutes, you can enjoy as much Chipotle Guacamole at home as you can mash!

31. Chex Mix Recipe

Make this homemade Chex Mix Recipe in the microwave in 10 minutes or less! It’s adapted from the original Chex Party Mix recipe, but I use more butter and I think it’s better that way.

32. BBQ Lil Smokies

Sharpen your toothpicks. 2-Ingredient Barbecue Little Smokies are the easiest, most festive appetizer you’ll ever make. Two ingredients, zero prep, and 100% addictive, exactly the way all good party food should be.

33. Grape Jelly Meatballs

The easiest party appetizer on the planet is also the most delicious. Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce is a lifesaver for hungry crowds and cocktail parties, so make a double batch! 

34. Black Bean Salsa

Transform canned beans into Black Bean Salsa, an easy recipe guaranteed to please. It’s fresh, colorful, and delicious, and it might just be your new favorite party recipe.

35. Taco Dip

If you have 10 minutes, you have plenty of time to this Taco Dip Recipe, the best ever layered Mexican dip that’s loaded with your favorite toppings and perfect for parties. Break open a bag of corn chips and get your next fiesta started!

36. Veggie Platter

This stunning, colorful platter of fresh vegetables and Dill Dip will inspire everyone to eat their veggies (and enjoy them!). This party snack idea is customizable and ready to share in just 10 minutes.

37. Fruit Platter

Build a Fruit Platter for a fresh appetizer recipe or easy, healthy dessert. This simple platter also showcases my best Fruit Dip Recipe made with just 3 ingredients: cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, and lemon juice.

38. Scotcheroos

These “elevated” Rice Krispy bars have peanut butter in the mix and melted chocolate and butterscotch on top. Make or bring a plate of them to pass and watch them disappear!

39. Brownies

If you love chewy brownies, you’ll love this recipe! A combination of butter and oil gives these Brownies that chewiness you expect from a boxed mix, but made from scratch.

40. Lemon Squares

These classic Lemon Squares have a buttery shortbread crust and a simple lemon filling – a little sweet, a little tart. The recipe is easy to make and the bars are easy to freeze!

41. Classic Strawberry Shortcake

If you feel intimidated by classic Strawberry Shortcake, look no further! Making homemade biscuits and whipped cream (not to mention macerating berries) might seem like a lot for just one dessert.

42. Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

This Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is made with light and airy angel food cake, white chocolate pudding frosting, and plenty of fresh berries! Decorate it for a patriotic holiday or any summer party.

43. Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Your new favorite chewy, soft chocolate chip cookies. Under-bake them slightly so they come out with crispy edges and soft centers. Plus all the info you need to freeze cookie dough for later.

44. Peach Melba

Learn how to make perfect Peach Melba with juicy peaches, ice cream, and a quick fresh raspberry sauce. Discover my best tips and tricks to bring this impressive, low effort dessert to your table all summer long.

45. Oreo Brownie Trifle

Oreo Brownie Trifle is the ultimate dessert for chocolate-lovers! Layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, whipped topping, and crushed Oreo cookies star in the chocolate dessert recipe that’s easy enough for any day but elegant enough for a holiday dessert.

46. Cowboy Cookies

Cowboy Cookies have a fantastic chew from oatmeal, coconut, and nuts. Try my classic combination of chocolate chips and buttery pecans or add your own favorite mix-ins. Even picky eaters will love these cookies!

47. Confetti Cookies

These easy Confetti Cookies are delicious, colorful, and made from the famous boxed cake mix. They are fun to make with kids but you’ll love them too!

48. Lavender Lemonade

Lavender Lemonade is sweet, refreshing, and easy to make with dried lavender flowers. It’s the perfect seasonal thirst-quencher for spring and summer.

49. Arnold Palmer

Named for the professional golfer, an Arnold Palmer is a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage made with equal parts iced tea and lemonade.

50. Agua de Jamaica

Made from dried Hibiscus Flowers, this Agua de Jamaica recipe is one of my favorite all-ages drink recipes and is a tart herbal tea you can serve hot or cold. Sweeten Hibiscus Tea with sugar or honey for a refreshing summery sip.

51. Infused Water

Stay hydrated with these easy infused water recipes. If you find plain ol’ H2O to be boring, consider making a pitcher of infused water that scores a hint of flavor from fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs.

52. Virgin Mojito Mocktail

This refreshing minty Virgin Mojito mocktail has all the flavor and none of the booze! Just muddle fresh mint, lime, and sugar together and top with ice and club soda. You’ll never even miss the rum.

53. Strawberry Peach Frosé

This delicious Strawberry Peach Frosé is sweet, summery, and made with just 4 ingredients! If you keep frozen wine cubes on hand, you’ll always be 1 minute away from your own personal happy hour.

54. Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush

You need just 3 ingredients (and an ice cream pail) to make this easy Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush. Share this refreshing Midwestern classic cocktail recipe at holiday gatherings, showers, and parties.

55. Strawberry Margarita

This easy-breezy Strawberry Margarita is made with just 5 ingredients and a blender. Add a salted rim and have it on the rocks or frozen. Either way, its delicious!

56. Mai Tai

A Mai Tai is a popular tropical cocktail and a cornerstone of tiki culture. Made with rum, orgeat syrup, and lime, it’s fruity and refreshing.

57. Pirate Punch

Inspired by Carnival Cruises, this Pirate Punch recipe is sweet, fruity, and tastes just like the tropics. Makes a pitcher for 8 or double the batch.

58. Brandy Slush

This sweet and boozy Brandy Slush recipe is a Midwestern classic cocktail. Make this easy drink recipe in advance for parties or keep it on hand in your freezer for any time your day could use a little extra spirit(s).

59. Red Sangria

Classic Red Sangria never goes out of style. Learn about the best red wine for sangria, then I’ll walk you through how to make this wine cocktail that’s an ideal make-ahead party drink.

60. Moscato Sangria

Moscato Sangria is an easy cocktail recipe that’s sure to get the party started. A bottle of white wine, fruit, and ginger ale team up in this refreshing wine-based pitcher cocktail (that is quickly becoming my signature drink!).